The risk of getting cerebral palsy is greater among babies weighing
less than five pounds at birth. It's also higher among premature infants.
You
are a neonatologist working with a premature baby that has cerebral palsy.
You explain the disorder to the parents and tell them what it will mean for
their child.
"You must be able to clearly document the care of your
patients in writing," says neonatologist Dr. Peter Tarczy-Hornoch. "You must
also read about half a dozen medical journals to keep up to date on the latest
advances in medical care."
Cerebral
palsy describes a group of chronic disorders that impair control of movement.
They appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over
time. The term cerebral refers to the brain's two halves, or hemispheres.
Palsy describes any disorder that impairs control of body movement.
These
disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. They are caused
by faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain. This disrupts
the brain's ability to control movement and posture.
Symptoms of cerebral
palsy vary widely. An individual with cerebral palsy may have difficulty with
fine motor tasks, such as writing or cutting with scissors. He may have trouble
maintaining balance and walking. He might be affected by involuntary movements,
such as drooling.
The symptoms differ from one person to the next.
They may even change over time. Some people with cerebral palsy are also affected
by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental impairment.
Cerebral
palsy does not always cause a profound handicap. A child with severe cerebral
palsy might be unable to walk and need extensive, lifelong care. Or a child
with mild cerebral palsy might only be slightly awkward and require no special
assistance.
Cerebral palsy is not contagious. It is not usually inherited
from one generation to the next. At this time, it cannot be cured. However,
scientific research continues to yield improved treatments and methods of
prevention.
(Excerpted with permission from the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/)